title: A dynamic perfusion bioreactor approach for engineering respiratory tissues in-vitro.
abstract: In vitro culture of respiratory tissues poses many challenges due to the intrinsic complexity of the respiratory system. Multiple cellular phenotypes comprise the respiratory epithelium and operate under dynamic, gas-interchanging conditions that should be replicated for near-physiologic cultivation of functional tissues in vitro. A novel biomimetic perfusion bioreactor system has been proposed to reconstitute key functional conditions of the human lung. This portable system consists of several biologically-inspired components: (i) a 3-dimensional (3-D) elastomeric soft tissue scaffold construct, (ii) a mechanical actuator, (iii) a perfusion system and (iv) gaseous exchange capabilities. These integrated components operate synergistically to create a unique, dynamic air-liquid interface (ALI) environment that allows controlled application of physiological and pathological strain while complementing standard cell culture techniques. This system holds potential for engineering 3-D tissues to meet growing demand for a range of applications, from more ethical and efficient pharmaceutical screening to clinical graft transplants.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boughton
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ruys
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000494:pharmacology; D019149:Bioreactors; D004867:Equipment Design; D005740:Gases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010477:Perfusion; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005740:Gases